Find your exact blade sizes first, since driver and passenger are often different. Lift the arm, protect the glass with a towel, press the release tab, slide the old blade off and click the new one on.
Wiper blades are rubber, and rubber gets hard from sun and cold. When they start streaking, you lose your view right when you need it most, in rain at night.
This is one of the best first jobs. No tools, ten minutes, and you will save the install fee every time.
What You Need
- New wiper blades in the right sizes
- A thick towel or a piece of cardboard
- A tape measure, if you cannot look up your sizes
Safety First
- Lay a towel on the glass under the arm. A wiper arm without a blade is spring loaded metal. If it slips out of your hand, it can snap down and crack the windshield.
- Turn the car off and pull the key, so the wipers cannot switch on while your hand is there.
The Blade Swap in Four Moves
Most hook style arms work like this. Check the picture on your new blade's package for other styles.
Step by Step
Get the Right Sizes
Look in your owner's manual or ask the parts counter to look up your car. You can also measure the old blades end to end. The driver side is usually longer than the passenger side. Some cars have a rear wiper too.
Raise the Wiper Arm
Pull the arm away from the glass until it stays up on its own. On some cars the wipers park under the edge of the hood and will not lift. Many of those have a service position. Your manual explains how to turn it on.
Protect the Windshield
Fold a thick towel and lay it on the glass right under the arm. If the arm slips, it lands on the towel and not on the glass.
Release the Old Blade
Look where the blade meets the arm. Most have a small tab or button. Press it, then slide the blade down toward the bend in the arm and off the hook. Some styles pull straight off or flip a cover up first. Look at the new blade package, since it usually has a picture.
Fit the New Blade
Some new blades come with plastic adapters. Use the one that matches your arm. Slide the new blade onto the hook until it clicks. Tug on it gently to make sure it is locked.
Lower the Arm Gently
Hold the arm and set it back down on the glass slowly. Do not let it snap down. Do the other side the same way.
Test It
Turn the car on and spray washer fluid. The blades should wipe clean with no streaks and no chatter. If a blade lifts or skips, check that it is clicked on all the way.
When to Stop and Call a Pro
- The wipers do not move at all, move slowly, or stop in the wrong spot. That is the motor, the linkage or a fuse.
- New blades still streak or chatter. The arm may be bent or have weak spring tension.
- The washer fluid does not spray even with a full tank. A pump, a line or a clogged nozzle may need work.
- The windshield is cracked in your view. Wipers can make a crack spread.
No shame in it. Knowing when to stop is part of the skill. Find a mechanic near you on MechanicRank.
Questions People Ask
How often should wiper blades be replaced?
Many people replace them every six months to a year. Replace them sooner if they streak, chatter or leave a haze, and after a hot summer or hard winter.
Why are my two wiper blades different sizes?
The driver side covers more of the glass, so it is usually longer. Always buy the size listed for each side.
Can I just replace the rubber part?
Some blades take refills, but many do not. Replacing the whole blade is simpler and is what most stores sell.
Why do my new wipers squeak?
Wax, bug film or a dry windshield can cause it. Clean the glass well with glass cleaner and wipe the blade edge with a damp cloth.